Ruben Amorim has acknowledged that Alejandro Garnacho seeks a new direction under different leadership. This comes after admitting their partnership did not work out as expected.
Garnacho, along with Jadon Sancho, Antony, and Tyrell Malacia, is among the players looking to leave Manchester United. The 21-year-old has been linked with Chelsea and was notably absent from the squad for last December’s Manchester derby due to attitude concerns.
Garnacho’s time at United saw him make 40 appearances across all competitions, starting in 25 matches. He contributed four goals and six assists during this period. Only Bruno Fernandes surpassed him in assists with 11. Despite these contributions, Garnacho did not start in the Europa League final, entering late in the second half. He later expressed dissatisfaction with Amorim’s decision to limit his involvement.
Amorim shared his thoughts on the challenges faced during his tenure at United. “To tell you the truth, it’s not how I returned to my house after the games, it was how I left to go to the games,” he said. He felt pre-match stress knowing they might struggle. This anticipation of difficulties was more taxing than post-match reflections.
United experienced a tough season under Amorim, finishing 15th in the Premier League for 2024-25 with only 42 points-their worst-ever finish. After replacing Erik ten Hag in November, Amorim managed just seven wins. He admitted feeling frustrated knowing they wouldn’t be competitive in many matches.
Amorim emphasised maintaining high standards despite losses. “Sometimes, when you are losing, you might think, let’s change the standards a little bit for them [the players] to be with me,” he stated. However, he remained firm on his principles and ensured players understood his commitment to consistency.
The coach highlighted his approach to discipline and training: “I don’t treat the players as babies.” He introduced rules that altered training dynamics and stressed accountability by using footage to address training lapses publicly.
Garnacho’s Future Prospects
Garnacho continues training in Manchester during United’s pre-season tour of the United States but is expected to depart after five years at the club. Amorim commented on Garnacho’s situation: “I think Garnacho, you can understand, and you can see, he’s talented.” He acknowledged that sometimes things don’t align perfectly between player and coach.
“You cannot explain specifically what it is,” Amorim added about their working relationship. He recognised Garnacho’s desire for a fresh challenge under new leadership as a natural part of football dynamics.
The coach expressed understanding of Garnacho’s perspective: “So, I think it’s not a problem.” He noted that adapting to different leaders or seeking new challenges is common in football careers.
The situation reflects broader issues within United as they navigate player desires and management strategies following a challenging season.